Download Cloud Identification

Cloud Identification
Goes with Dichotomous Key
Created by Dr. Tina Cartwright,
Marshall University
Stratocumulus
Stratocumulus
A stratocumulus cloud belongs to a genustype of clouds characterized by large dark,
rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or
waves, the individual elements being larger
than those in altocumulus, and the whole
being at a lower altitude, usually below
2,400
meters
(8,000 ft).[1] Weak convective currents cre
ate shallow cloud layers because of drier,
stable air above preventing continued
vertical development.
Cirrostratus
Cirrostratus
Cirrostratus /ˌsɪroʊˈstrɑːtəs/ is a high,
very thin, generally uniform stratiform
genus-type of cloud, composed of icecrystals. It is difficult to detect and is
capable of forming halos when the cloud
takes the form of
thin cirrostratusnebulosus.
Cumulonimbus
Cumulonimbus
Cumulonimbus, from the Latin cumulus ("heap") and
nimbus ("rainstorm", "storm cloud"), is a dense
towering vertical cloud[1]associated
with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability,
forming from water vapor carried by powerful
upward air currents. If observed during a storm,
these clouds may be referred to as thunderheads.
Cumulonimbus can form alone, in clusters, or
along cold front squall lines. These clouds are
capable of producing lightning and other dangerous
severe weather, such as tornadoes. Cumulonimbus
progress from overdeveloped cumulus congestus
clouds and may further develop as part of
a supercell.
Altostratus
Altostratus
Altostratus is a middle altitude cloud genus belonging to
the stratiform physical category characterized by a generally
uniform gray to bluish-green and sheet or layer.[3] It is lighter in
color than nimbostratus and darker than high cirrostratus. The
sun can be seen through thin altostratus, but thicker layers can
be quite opaque.
Altostratus is formed by the lifting of a large mostly stable air
mass that causes invisible water vapor to condense into cloud. It
can produce light precipitation, often in the form of virga. If
the precipitation increases in persistence and intensity, the
altostratus cloud may thicken into nimbostratus.[2]
Altostratus most often takes the form of a featureless sheet of
cloud but can be wavy (undulatus) as a result of wind shear
through the cloud. It can also be fragmented (fibratus) with
clear sky visible, which often signals the approach of a weakened
or upper level warm front
Cirrus
Cirrus
Cirrus Clouds thin and wispy. The most
common form of high-level clouds are
thin and often wispycirrus clouds.
Typically found at heights greater than
20,000 feet (6,000 meters), cirrus
clouds are composed of ice crystals that
originate from the freezing of
supercooled water droplets.
Nimbostratus
Nimbostratus
Nimbostratus are dark, low-level clouds
accompanied by light to moderately
falling precipitation. Low clouds are
primarily composed of water droplets
since their bases generally lie below
6,500 feet (2,000 meters).
Stratus
Cumulus
Cumulus
Cumulus clouds are puffy clouds that
sometimes look like pieces of floating
cotton. The base of each cloud is often
flat and may be only 1000 meters (3300
feet) above the ground. The top of
the cloud has rounded towers.
Stratus
Stratus clouds mean rain if it is warm and
snow if it is cold. They look like a huge
gray blanket that hangs low in the sky.
Sometimes stratus clouds are on the
ground or very near the ground, and
then we call them fog. Usually stratus
clouds and fog form when it has been
cold out and then warmer, wet air blows
in
Cirrocumulus
Cirrocumulus
Cirrocumulus are usually white, but
sometimes appear gray. They are the
same size or smaller than the width of
your littlest finger when you hold up
your hand at arm's length. When
these clouds cover a lot of the sky, they
can look like the scales of a fish, which
is it is called a "mackerel sky.”
Altocumulus
Altocumulus
Altocumulus (From Latin Altus, "high", cumulus, "heaped")[1] is a
middle-altitude cloud genus that belongs mainly to
thestratocumuliform physical category characterized by
globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual
elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and
smaller than those of stratocumulus.[2] However, if the layers
become tufted in appearance due to increased airmass
instability, then the altocumulus clouds become more
purely cumuliform in structure. Like other cumuliform and
stratocumuliform clouds, altocumulus signifies convection. A
sheet of partially conjoined altocumulus perlucidus is sometimes
found preceding a weakening warm front, where the altostratus
is starting to fragment, resulting in patches of altocumulus
perlucidus between the areas of altostratus. Altocumulus is also
commonly found between the warm and cold fronts in a
depression, although this is often hidden by lower clouds.